Quick Strike Fast Break

If you are going to run a fast-break style offense, you must drill your players to rip the ball out of the net and get the ball deep as quickly as possible. These are the kinds of plays that help you win games, strike quickly after a made basket. You'll see how the Spurs run this to get a quick 2 points, watch the video and then you can read my thoughts below.



Last year, we ran some fast break stuff similar to this play where our 2 guard would leak after an opponent shot, make or miss. On a make, whichever forward/center was closest would rip the ball out of the net get to the baseline and baseball pass it to the 2 guard way down court. We drilled this almost every practice and it was definitely good for at least 2 to 8 points per game and more importantly acted as a great press breaker by keeping the other team honest.

I like any kind of strategy or play which forces the opposing team to react to you, and this is definitely the kind of play that will do that. The real key here is to make sure your forwards rip the ball out of the net before it touches the ground.

If you are looking for something truly unique, take a look at Dave Arsenault's Running to Win DVD. Coach Arseneault is of course the creator of the record-setting Run and Gun system that he uses at Grinnell College. Think of the Phoenix Suns on steriods.

I have some coach Arsenault notes so be check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum.